HC Deb 23 July 1974 vol 877 cc1294-6
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Edward Short)

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a short Business Statement.

The business for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday has been rearranged as follows:

WEDNESDAY, 24TH JULY—Supply (13th Allotted Day): conclusion of the debate on the economic situation, when there will be an Opposition motion before the House.

Consideration of Lords amendments to the Housing Bill.

THURSDAY, 25TH JULY—Supply (14th Allotted Day): the question will be put on all outstanding Votes.

Afterwards, a debate on a motion for the Adjournment on public safety and the decline in respect for the law.

Motion on passes for Members, &c.

Consideration of Lords amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

FRIDAY, 26TH JULY—Remaining stages of the Road Traffic Bill [Lords].

Motion on the Electricity (Borrowing Powers) Order 1974.

Second Reading of the Education (Awards and Grants) Bill.

Proceedings on the Solicitors Bill [Lords], the Friendly Societies Bill [Lords], and the Insurance Companies Bill [Lords], which are consolidation measures.

Mr. Emery

Although the House will be considering the Lords Amendments to the Housing Bill tomorrow evening, their Lordships will not be considering those amendments until tomorrow afternoon. I do not know the exact number of amendments concerned, but they comprise a document almost an inch thick. Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that those amendments are properly marshalled and available to Members so that the House may deal with them properly and efficiently?

Mr. Short

Yes, Sir, the amendments will be available. They will be received from the Lords tomorrow and taken into consideration forthwith. They will be available to hon. Members in this House.

Mr. Emery

Since the Lords are not considering the amendments until tomorrow afternoon, how will they be received in this House by tomorrow?

Mr. Short

We hope that the amendments will be received by about 8 o'clock. There are a large number, but I understand they are not controversial.

Mr. McNamara

What progress is being made on the Hare Coursing Bill, which was tabled for discussion on Friday?

Mr. Short

In view of representations made during business questions last week and the number of representations which I have received since then, I am seeking a fresh opportunity for a debate on the Second Reading of that Bill next week.

Mr. Adley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this morning in the Standing Committee on the Channel Tunnel Bill the Minister in charge said that he had no knowledge of the statement widely reported in the Press at the weekend, purporting to come from the talks between the Prime Minister and the President of France, about delay in the timetable on the Channel Tunnel project? Bearing in mind the great problems which many thousands of householders are suffering, will the right hon. Gentleman before the end of this week ask his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, or the Secretary of State for the Environment, to make a statement to the House so that we may know what is going on?

Mr. Short

I am answerable for many things, but not for statements in the Press. I shall certainly look at what the hon. Gentleman said.

Sir Harmar Nichols

May I inquire about the debate on public safety and the decline in respect for the law scheduled for Thursday? Will that debate be wide enough for the House to express the overwhelming feeling in the country for a return of capital punishment for certain happenings which are taking place and which are truly disturbing the country?

Mr. Short

The motion was selected by the Conservative Front Bench.

Mr. Patrick Mayhew

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what has happened to a publication, now of antiquarian interest, known as HANSARD. When may we next expect to see it?

Mr. Short

We are doing our best with HANSARD.

Sir Anthony Royle

In view of the deep concern felt by hundreds and thousands of people living around London Airport as a result of the decision by the Government to cancel the plan to build an airport at Maplin, will the right hon. Gentleman provide an opportunity for the House to debate this serious situation which is affecting so many people in the London area?

Mr. Short

No, Sir. I cannot give time for that. There will be opportunities on the Consolidated Fund Bill.